News Releases
State More Optimistic on Economic Growth in 2014
For Immediate Release: December 4, 2013 DBEDT News Release 13-11 HONOLULU—In its fourth quarter 2013 economic report, the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT) forecasts a higher economic growth rate for 2014 even while lowering the 2013 growth rate mainly due to slowing tourism activity in recent months. “Our labor market is healthy; we have the 5th lowest unemployment rate in the nation,” said DBEDT Director Richard C. Lim. “The construction industry...
Read More...State Energy Office Honored in Two Categories at 2013 Hawaii Technology Excellence Awards
At the inaugural 2013 Hawaii Technology Excellence Awards held on Thursday, the Hawaii State Energy Office took top honors for two of its innovative online programs. These online tools are part of the State Energy Office’s suite of self-help applications available at energy.hawaii.gov.
Read More...2013 Hawaii VC Summit and Startup Paradise Demo Day
For Immediate Release: November 20, 2013 DBEDT News Release 13-10 December 4, 2013 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. What: The state’s Hawaii Strategic Development Corporation (HSDC) and Sultan Ventures will be hosting the 4th Annual Hawaii VC Summit to discuss “Startup Paradise,” Hawaii’s entrepreneurial “high growth” community that is a cornerstone of our innovation ecosystem.The conference joins members of the entrepreneurial, investor and venture capital (VC)...
Read More...Hawaii Refinery Task Force Submits Interim Report to the Governor
The Hawaii Refinery Task Force has submitted its Interim Report to Gov. Neil Abercrombie, assessing the impacts of potential refinery closures on Hawaii’s energy system and analyzing options for assuring the state’s energy security.
Read More...National Leaders to Share Best Practices on “Proof of Concept Center” Model
For Immediate Release: November 8, 2013 DBEDT News Release 13-09 November 14th Symposium Open to Hawaii’s Business and Community Members HONOLULU—As the state looks at innovative ventures to grow Hawaii’s economy, the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) will be holding a symposium on Thursday, November 14 that will focus on the “Proof of Concept Center” model, a combination mentorship-and-investment program that has proven to fast track the...
Read More...GreenSun Hawaii Loan Program Finances $2 Million in Solar Installations Statewide
The initiative was launched in 2011 to increase energy efficiency in Hawaii by providing residential, multi-family projects, nonprofits and businesses with affordable means of financing the installation of energy efficient and renewable energy systems.
Read More...Newly Approved Local Biofuels Contract Aligned with State’s Long-Term Energy Goals
The State Energy Office commends a new fuel contract between Hawaiian Electric Company and Hawaii BioEnergy recently approved by the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission.
Read More...FTZ Resource Center Construction Begins
For Immediate Release: October 14, 2013 DBEDT News Release 13-08 HONOLULU—The State of Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) today announced that it has begun construction of its new Import Export Trade Resource Center wing at The Hawaii Foreign-Trade Zone #9 on Pier 2. This $10.5 million building renovation is funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration and the State of Hawaii, and will add 30,000...
Read More...Exhibit at the Modern Honolulu Honors a Century of Film in Hawaii
For Immediate Release: October 7, 2013 HONOLULU—The Hawaii Film Office is marking the 100th anniversary of film production in the Hawaiian Islands with an Exhibit at The Study of The Modern Honolulu, Wednesday, October 9, 5-6 pm. The Exhibit—which will showcase the hundreds of films that have shot in Hawaii since 1913 through film posters, still photographs and movie memorabilia—will run at The Modern through Oct. 20 in conjunction with the 33rd Hawaii International Film...
Read More...Hawaii and Alaska Announce New Space Partnership Relationship
For Immediate Release: October 7, 2013 HONOLULU—Representatives of Hawaii and Alaska state governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding today at the 2013 Hawaii Aerospace Summit in Honolulu, confirming their intention to establish a formal working relationship in state aerospace activities to serve the Pacific Region. The agreement notes that Hawaii and Alaska are geographically situated to provide rapid, focused, and cost-effective aerospace services. “Hawaii’s strategic...
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